Rocker arm construction



C. FARRIS March 28, 1939,

ROCKER ARM CONSTRUCT ION Filed May 26, 1937 I 'ENTOR. (ans, MM ATTORNEYSI Y W6 Patented Met. 28, 1939 UNITED .STATES PATENT OFFICE ROCKER ARMCONSTRUCTION ration of Delaware Application May 26,

Claims.

The present invention relates to rocker arm constructions and embodiesmore particularly an improved form of rocker arm construction whereinthestructure is formed to facilitate proper 5 lubrication thereof duringoperation. A further characteristic of the present invention resides inthe fact that the construction is such as to facilitate the accurateassembly of the elements of the rocker arm in order that it may beadapted for use in connection with varying assemblies..

The invention is of particular utility in connection with springsuspensions wherein dual axles are used to support a vehicle frame. Insuch constructions, it is frequently desired to equalize the action ofthe springs which are carried by the two axles and .this may be done bymeans of shackle connections between adjacent ends of the springs uponeach side of the vehicle and a rocker arm which is journaled upon thevehicle. Proper lubrication of this rocker arm during operation becomesan extremely important matter and an object. of the present invention isto provide a rocker arm construction wherein lubrication thereof iscarried out effectively during operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rocker armconstruction wherein one or more of the journaled members may be securedin a desired position with respect to the rocker arm in order that therocker arm assembly may be adapted for varying types of construction.

Further objects of the invention will be apparent as it is-described ingreater detail in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a view in side elevation showing a spring suspension whereina rocker arm is embodied, the rocker arm being constructed in accordancewith the present invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged view in side elevation, showing the rocker armof Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view partly broken away and in section, showing therocker arm construction.

Referring to the above drawing, Figure 1 illustrates a vehicle sideframe member iii to which a bracket H is secured. Dual axles i2 and I3are mounted upon the frame by means of springs l4 and I5, respectively,the adjacent ends of these springs being connected to shackle members I6 and II, respectively. The spring I 4 may be connected to shacklemembers l6 through a link l8 and the lower ends of the links l6 and Hare connected to a rocker arm l9, by means of suitable journalconnections to be described hereinafter. The foregoing elements, savethe rocker arm, form no part of the present invention but simply serveto illustrate the manner in which the 1931, Serial No. 144,810 (01. zso1o4) rocker arm of the present invention may be used.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the arm is is illustrated as beingformed with a hollow interior shown in dotted lines at 20 in Figures 2and 3. The arm is provided with a journal bearing 2| by means of whichit may be journaled upon a supporting member such as the bracket I I.The ends of the arms are formed with bearings 22 and 23 in order thatsuch ends may be journaled to suitable connecting members such as thelinks I 6 and m I! in Figure 1.

In assembling the rocker arm for use as illustrated in Figure 1. it issometimes necessary to have the bearing 22 positioned in one axialposition, whereas, in other constructions, this axial position must bechanged. For example, in one vehicle, the lateral position of spring llwith respect to the frame I0 and bracket ll may vary with respect to theposition of these elements in another construction. In order to providefor such variations, the present invention provides a structure andmethod by means of which the rocker arm may be readily adapted for suchvarying installations. Accordingly, as illustrated in Figure 3, thebearing 22 consists of a sleeve 24 a which is received within anaperture 25 formed in the arm l9. When positioned in a proper axialposition, the sleeve 24 is welded to the arm. as illustrated at 26. Inthis fashion, a standard rocker. arm construction may be adapted efl'ec-:ively for use in connection with varying strucures.

In order that the bearings 2|, 22 and 23 may be eflectively lubricated,they are provided with bores 21 which are preferably formed adjacent theupper portions thereof. These bores form oil ducts which communicatewith the interior of the arm. Plugs 28 may be provided in the rocker armwhere it is necessary to drill through the structure thereof in orderthat the boring or duct work 21 may be formed. An aperture provided witha filler plug 29 is provided in the upper portion of the arm in orderthat a lubricant may be introduced thereinto. In operation, as the arm45 pivots about the journal bearing 2|, the lubricant is splashed aboutand falls in the bores 21 in order that the journals may be efiectivelylubricated.

It is to be noted that normally the level of the, lubricant within therocker arm need not reach 50 the bores 21 inasmuch as effectivelubrication is accomplished during operation by reason of the splashingas above described.

While the invention has been described with reference to the specificconstruction shown in II the aocompanyini drawini, it is not to belimited save as defined in the appended claims,

I claim: a

1. A rocker arm comprising ,a hollow body adapted to hold a quantity i.lubricant, bearing means carried .by said body adapted to receive ahorizontal supporting journal, whereby the same will rock in a verticalplane, additional bearing means carried by said body. the upper portiononly of at least one oi said bearing means being provided with alubricating passage communicatingwith the interior of said body, saidpassage being disposed at a higher elevation than the quantity oilubricant when the arm is in a horizontal position, and means forintroducing lubricant into said body.

2. A rocker arm for vehicle spring suspensions comprising a hollow bodyadapted to hold a quantity of lubricant, said body having means formounting same for rocking movement in a vertical plane,.bearing meansadjacent the ends of saidbody adapted to receive spring connections, theupper portion only of said bearing means being provided with alubricating passage communicating with the interior of said bodydisposed at a higher elevation than the quantity of lubricant when thearm is in a horizontal position, and means for introducing lubricantinto said body.

3. A rocker arm for vehicle spring suspensions comprising a hollow bodyadapted to hold a quantity of lubricant having bearing meansintermediate the ends thereof for supporting the body on a vehicle sothat the same may rock in a vertical plane, bearing means adjacent theends of said body, all of said bearing means lying substantially in acommon plane, the upper portion only of each 01' said bearing meansbeing provided with a lubricating passage communicating with theinterior of said body, said passage being disposed at a higher elevationthan the quantity of lubricant when the arm is in a horizontal position,and means for introducing lubricant into said body.

4. The method of manufacturing a rocker arm for vehicle springsuspensions comprising the steps of forming a hollow body having meansby which the body is adapted to be mounted for rocking movement, formingan aperture through the hollow body. inserting a bearing-forming sleevein a desired position in the aperture, welding the sleeve to the wallsof said body, and forming a lubricating passage through the upperportion of the sleeve.

5. The method of manufacturing a rocker arm for vehicle springsuspensions comprising the steps of forming a hollow body containing ahearing structure by which the body is adapted to be mounted for rockingmovement, forming an aperture through the hollow body, inserting abearing-forming sleeve in a desired position in the aperture, weldingthe sleeve to the walls of said body, and forming a lubricating passagethrough the upper portion of said bearing structure and saidbearing-forming sleeve for communication with the interior of saidhollow body.

CLAYTON FARRIS.

